Back then when we were referred to as the next generation by our parents
who were of the greatest generation, I know they wondered what would ever become
of this world. A generation of hippies, yuppies, revolutionaries, and long
hairs with no respect for authority, we most certainly presented a problem to
the establishment, as they referred to themselves. We were free thinking,
although sometimes under an artificial illusion, and I had a friend who used to
brag “I will try anything once, twice if it feels good.” And many did, and so
it is said that if you remember the sixties, you probably weren’t there. But as
many of us do remember the sixties, the one drug we started on, and continue to
consume today in mass quantities is motorcycles. And to a generation that
brought us out of WWII, the Big One, and saw the start of many motorcycle
clubs-both AMA and Outlaw, the generation that won freedom, and expressed
freedom via two wheels, had strayed from it. As they went from Schwinns to
Cushmans to Hondas to Harleys, they finally ditched it all for the four wheel
conveyance we call cars. Maybe a Deuce coupe when dating, then something more
realistic as a sedan when the kids arrived. Then the station wagon so they
could show their individuality and be like everyone else, and then finally on to
the quiet, tomblike existence of big luxury car, as the income allowed. And
evolution of wheels, a coming of age of sorts. For no responsible adult would
be caught in a hot rod, only in their dreams would they do that. But we might
find a young person speeding along in Dad’s Mercedes Benz.
Years ago a General Motors executive noted “you can sell an old man a young
man’s car, but you can’t sell a young man an old man’s car.” And he was right.
As we got older, we went right up the GM ladder of hierarchy, until we arrived
in the Cadillac. Boy, how times have changed.
At a recent car show, with many old cars and hot rods, the average age of
the car owners was well past retirement. Driving the cars of their youth, or
the ones of their youthful dreams, hardly an old Cadillac or Buick was found
among them, these were cars of youth, of freedom, and of weekend rides with the
top down, your arm around your best girl, and with both eyes looking out for the
law, who was always ready to swoop down out of nowhere and ruin your afternoon.
You were having fun, as these older couples were, while back home in their
garages you may find sitting a shiny new four door sedan. Detailed to the max
by someone else. Just the opposite of their hot rods, who they would never
trust anyone else to touch. And many with their wives along with them enjoying
the gift of youth that old cars promises, and wondering why their own children
drive four doors, when there is only two of you, who needs the extra doors?
Which makes me think of a Tom Murray quote, “there are two kinds of girls, the
ones you date on Saturday night, and the ones you invite home to dinner on
Sunday.” Today it is interpreted as “good girls go to heaven, bad girls go
everywhere else.”
So referring back to doing something twice if it feels good, many seek
solace in the past via their cars. The time when you first dated your wife, and
first tried to kiss her. When you knew she was the one, and finally got up the
courage to ask her. Maybe in the front seat of that same hot rod, that you were
forced to sell when you had kids and a job, and had to be more responsible. But
you always look back to the good times with fondness, knowing someday you would
have one again. To some the fountain of youth, to others a supply of endless
memories, yet to others dreams finally realized while still old enough to sit up
and take their meals. But that something wonderful about old cars, that bring
out the best memories, and make even the tough times seem worth remembering. And
if anyone should ask “where have the good old days gone?” they smile and remind
you right now. These are the good old days. They never left, we did.
In motorcycling a resurgence is going on, as many who used to ride, then
got married and responsible, are coming back to riding. Remembering their last
bike, and finding out the one they remembered was in better shape, and was far
less expensive than the one on Craigslist. Some will go into the dealer, where
a kid who isn’t old enough to remember those good old days, won’t know what an
Interceptor was, or anything with CB attached to it. And when he steers them to
the current generation’s model, the price points them out the door. Some have
bought houses for less! But to those that will listen, and whose dream is still
alive, the world of motorcycles today is in a Golden Era. Honda makes entry
level bikes, which outperform those from our youth, for half of what the newest
and fastest go for. And as 500cc used to be big, now it is small, but performs
better than your old 750. The bait is set, and we are hooked! And riding
again, and the smile that we thought was gone and forgotten, now is hidden
behind the newest full face. And a whole new group of new bikers is emerging,
and proof that there is a fountain of youth-it has two wheels! And unlike the
date of Saturday nights long ago, this one you can take home for Sunday dinner,
and for a ride after.
Many Christians are like that. Life has interfered with plans, and church
along with God was cut out of the equation. The one God they swore to never
leave, they have left, and have looked for a way back. But some remember the
religion end of their past, and shy away from church. Some when asked, will
offer the excuse they don’t need the fellowship, but won’t miss the next car
club or bike rally because of it. Fortunately God has an open door program, and
welcomes you back. Waiting to meet you where you are, and carry on from there.
Introduce you to new worship music, new fellowship, and getting back to the
Bible, the same one you would tell everyone that you would never leave. And
find all the things that you were missing all these years in that old friend of
yours, Jesus Christ. And when you finally decide to welcome Him back, you find
you are not alone. A whole generation that was so busy doing their own thing,
now wants to do God’s thing, the one thing missing from their lives. The right
thing. And soon Sunday morning rides are first to church, then out to lunch
with others who ride and love Jesus, and they think-these are the good old
days. And it will amaze and amuse some who they find in church. Those Saturday
night dates have come to Jesus. And so have the ones from Sunday dinners at
home. But the best ones are the best friend you married years ago, who has been
along for the ride the whole time...the ones who have never left.
Wherever your testimony takes you, never forget the one who never left
you. And is waiting to welcome you back. Finding the God of young man gets
better with age, and as the relationship grows, find yourself young again. Life
is exciting, and Jesus is real. More real than ever before. And when welcomed
back into the family of God, will be heard to say “it’s like I never left.”
Never leave again today, these are the good old days, with only better ones to
come. With Jesus, of course. That old time religion, it was good enough for
me. Still is.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com